Chapter 6 - Race and Ethnicity
Loury makes a good point when he
states that racial identity is a social and cultural construct. We are born into the cultural situation
created from our parents origin and then our internal shape is altered by the
outside forces of society, whether it is TV/movie images, interactions when we
attend social events, or daily interaction with friends.
I really agree with Tatum’s take on
educators needing to provide identity affirming experiences and information on
racial and cultural differences.
We need to be willing to discuss race and cultural habits freely and
openly with our students. The
earlier this starts, the better an understanding a child will have. It will also provide them the
information necessary to make decisions based on the person and not on the
“skin color” they may wear or different habits they may display.
From the beginning of the school
year, I try to display and discuss these subjects in my classroom. I always point out that it is the
actions of the person, not what their outside appearance may be. I encourage my young pupils to talk
about it and answer question openly about it. Of course, you always need to have the conversation at your
students’ level of understanding.
We of course talk about Black History during February but I also try to
weave other cultural discussion in during the school year as well. Understanding that being different is
okay is the key to teaching our children to be tolerant of differences as they
grow up and knowledge about these possible differences helps to open those
doors.
I think in past blogs I mentioned
that I read stories as an introduction to topics like these. I find that at the very young ages of
my students that this really impacts them and starts those discussions. Having a culture in your classroom
where students feel safe to ask questions about these subjects really helps
them to build and understanding.
Question: How do or
would you approach these subjects with your students? How difficult is it to have these discussions with
teenagers?
I totally agree with the inclusionary methods you execute in your classrooms. I think all students and educators would see more tolerance and/or acceptance of cultural differences if these kinds of activities were part of the curriculum more often and beyond the normal "Black History Month" and "Cinco De Mayo". Unfortunately the media has made the subject matter so polarizing, it's hard to have healthy dialogue about the subject.
ReplyDelete